Budget 2013 is an excellent Budget. With this 5th Budget, Finance Minister Bill English and the National Government continue to create the right settings for businesses to invest and create jobs, and for our economy to grow.

HEALTH receives the largest increase - $14.7 billion being spent on health, including:

$70 million for aged care and dementia services, $35.5 million for diabetes and heart disease, 
$100 million extra to meet population changes and cost pressures in disability support services.
$48 million for more elective operations such as hip replacements and cataracts.
$25 million to increase the number of people being screened for diseases, particularly breast cancer.
More than $21 million to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever and undertake rheumatic fever vaccine research.

This is a budget that’s good for business.  A $100 million-a-year internationally focused growth package will further support research and development, tourism, and marketing to international students. The Government’s annual investment in research and development lifts to $1.36 billion, the highest ever.

Initiatives to support HOUSING AFFORDABILITY:
Legislation will be introduced to increase housing affordability and improve the local regulatory environment.
The Government is working with councils to create accords to increase land supply and streamline planning and consent processes.

EDUCATION increases to $9.7 billion, including
$215 million to raise student achievement
Over $1 billion to assist schools with the provision of modern, 21st Century learning environments
Over $130 million more for higher level tertiary education

Initiatives to support those who are vulnerable in our community, including: 
$100m for home insulation
$1.5m for budgeting advice services
$13.7 million to support the Children's Action Plan in operating funding over four years

$1.5 billion of proceeds from the Mighty River Power float will be invested in Christchurch hospitals, irrigation, schools, and the KiwiRail turnaround plan. The Government has also announced Meridian Energy will be the next company to be prepared for a partial share offer.

ACC levy reductions of around $300 million in 2014/15, increasing to around $1 billion in 2015/16, will lower costs on businesses and households.

You can read more detail about BUDGET 2013 here: http://www.national.org.nz/budget2013.aspx

I rise to speak to the  Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill (No 2). This is very much a bill whose time has passed. It probably ought never to have been put into the ballot. It has been drawn up after the events have already overtaken it. From what I can gather talking to members of the rural community people are very happy with the status quo.

Prime Minister John Key was in the North Shore electorate for the morning on May 1, spending time with business people and heritage groups in Devonport, and meeting some of Takapuna's business leaders. 

"Although he was only here for a few hours," says Maggie, "we were able to showcase the best in both heritage and business and I think the PM definitely came away with strong and favourable impressions about the way we get things done on the Shore." 

Maggie and the Prime Minister took part in the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the Peter Raos Art Gallery. The event was well attended by several of Devonport's key business people. 

With John Ashton, New World Devonport

With Joy and Howard Mace, B&B Operators 

Maggie speaking to the guests in celebration of the 10th Anniversary event

 
PM John Key and Peter Raos, Master Glass Artist

Devonport Heritage representatives had the opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister about the importance of the preservation of the buildings and the potential impact that changes to building codes following the Christchurch earthquake could have on restoration.

Left to Right: Claudia Page, Margot McRae, Prime Minister, Maggie, Trish Deans

Devonport was very welcoming to the Prime Minister as he walked up Victoria Road towards the 101 year old Victoria Theatre. 

The PM visited Devonport during the school holidays

Waving back to patrons at the cafe's along Victoria Road

In Manuka Restaurant, Victoria Road

One of Devonport's iconic residents, retired industrial designer Gifford Jackson, had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister in the Victoria Theatre. He was accompanied by his niece, Ruth Jackson. The Prime Minister was given a copy of the book recently written by Michael Smythe, detailing the breadth of Gifford's accomplishments and how he came to be known as the "Godfather of NZ Industrial Design". 

Ruth Jackson (Niece of Gifford), Gifford Jackson, Prime Minister, and Claudia Page (Niece of Gifford)

Ruth Jackson (niece), Maggie, Gifford Jackson and the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister then travelled to Takapuna, where he met with a group of 30 Takapuna business representatives, including property developers, landlords, inventors, entrepreneurs, retailers, the tourism sector and event promoters. These people had the opportunity to speak with John Key about the benefits and challenges of running a successful business in Takapuna.

 PM with Hartley Atkinson, CEO AFT Pharmaceuticals

  
 Left to Right: Chris Arbuckle, Crown Group; David Levene, Quadrant Properties;

Peter Wall, Chairman, Harbour Access Trust

Left to Right: Naomi Ballantyne, PartnersLife;

Ben Wiltshire and Liam Wiltshire, Wiltshire Property Group